Multi-exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-exercise machine includes a frame, a resistance system, a seat connected to the frame to be movable from a first seat position to a second seat position, and an inclined post inclined in a selected direction. The configuration of the present invention provides the multi-exercise machine with a movable seat to create more space for correct ergonomic posture of a user in a standing position. The configuration of the present invention also provides the multi-exercise machine with an inclined post to enable correct ergonomic postures of a user in a sitting position. The present invention enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to an exercise apparatus, more particularly to amulti-exercise machine which enables a user to perform a variety ofexercises in both sitting and standing positions.

Single function exercise machines have been developed for severaldecades. It is common for an exercise club to arrange different singlefunction exercise machines for users to perform different exercises.With a trend of home exercise, it is not proper for home users toarrange different single function exercise machines in their limitedfloor space. Some prior arts try to disclose some multi-exercisemachines in which a user can perform different exercises withoutshifting to different single function machines.

Some multi-exercise machine such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,612, aredesigned to be performed by a user in a standing position. The '612patent discloses a multi-exercise machine comprising a general upright,an elongated arm mechanism, and a cable interconnected to a handle. Insuch a machine, a user can not perform a lot of exercises which areusually performed by a user in a seated position. Other multi-exercisemachines such as US2003/0027696, may have a seat connected to amulti-exercise machine for a user to perform some exercises in a sittingposition. With the way the seat is connected to the multi-exercisemachine, a user has a problem when he/she wants to perform exercises ina standing position because the seat may interfere with some movementsof the user. A user needs to straddle the seat in order to perform someexercises in a standing position. By straddling the seat, a user couldbe in a wrong ergonomic posture because of an interference of the seat.As a result, the existence of the seat could decrease the variety ofexercises possible using the multi-exercise machine.

Some multi-exercise machines such as US D502,515, try to increase thevariety of exercises in a sitting position by having different frameconfigurations. For example, the configuration has two uprights and twocorresponding sliding handles for performing different exercises whilethe handles are positioned in different levels on the uprights. Becauseof the frame configuration of the prior art, some exercises may belimited due to the frame configuration, especially a user performing abiceps curl or chest press in a sitting position.

For the foregoing reasons, there exists a need for a multi-exercisemachine having a simple configuration to allow a user to perform avariety of exercises in both sitting and standing positions.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a device that satisfies this needfor a multi-exercise machine having a simple configuration to allow auser to perform a variety of exercises in both sitting and standingpositions.

In the preferred embodiment, the exercise machine of the presentinvention includes a base frame having an upright extending upward fromthe base frame, a weight stack, a plurality of pulleys, a cable systemconnected to the weight stack, a gripping handle connected the cablesystem, and a seat connected to the frame to be movable from the firstseat position to the second seat position.

One object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercisemachine which enables a user to perform a variety of exercises in bothsitting and standing positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercisemachine with a seat to be movable from a first seat position to a secondseat position in order to create more space for correct ergonomicposture of a user in a standing position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercisemachine with an inclined post configuration to enable correct ergonomicpostures of a user in a sitting position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-exercisemachine with an inclined post configuration to decrease interferencebetween the elbow of a user and the exercise machine while the user isin a sitting position.

The reader is advised that this summary is not meant to be exhaustive.Further features aspects and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with reference to the following description,accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may bemade to drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bar assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with a seat in a second seat position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a seat backassembly of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention while the gripping handle located in a lower position;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention while the gripping handle located in a lower position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention while the gripping handle located in an upper position;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention while the gripping handle located in an upper position; and,

FIG. 13 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention with the seat in the second seat position.

DESCRIPTION

Referring now specifically to the figures, in which identical or similarparts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, adetailed description of the present invention is given. It should beunderstood that the following detailed description relates to the bestpresently known embodiment of the invention. However, the presentinvention can assume numerous other embodiments, as will become apparentto those skilled in the art, without departing from the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a multi-exercise machine of a preferredembodiment is disclosed and designated by a reference character 10. Theexercise machine 10 comprises base frames 20 and 20′ designed to besupported by a floor surface, a connecting frame 21 for connecting thebase frames 20 and 20′,and uprights 22 and 23 extending verticallyupward from the connecting frame 21. The exercise machine 10 includesinclined posts 24 and 24′ respectively extending upward from the baseframes 20 and 20′ and a connecting frame 25 for connecting the upperends of the inclined posts 24 and 24′. The inclined posts 24 and 24′ aredesigned to be inclined in a selected direction to create ergonomicadvantage of a user when a user is in a sitting position. The selecteddirection of the inclined posts 24 and 24′ will be described in detailthereinafter. The exercise machine 10 includes a resistance system 40comprising a pair of guide rods 45 extending upward from the connectingframe 21, a weight stack 41 having a plurality of weight plate 411slidably positioned between the guide rods 45 for providing differentlevels of training resistance to a user, a plurality of pulleys, and acable system 42 routed around the plurality of pulleys. A user canselect desired training resistance by relocating a locking pin, notshown but well known by people skilled in the art, into a bayonet 38. Itis known by people skilled in the art that some alternative embodimentsof the resistance system 40 such as resilient rope system or eddycurrent brake system could be also utilized for providing trainingresistance to a user.

The exercise machine 10 of the present invention further includessliding assemblies 30 and 30′ which can be relocated at differentlocations along the respective inclined posts 24 and 24′. The slidingassemblies 30 and 30′ respectively comprise positioning handles 32 and32′, sliding tubes 31 and 31′ slidably mounted on respective inclinedposts 24 and 24′, swivel brace 33 and 33′ pivoted to respective slidingtubes 31 and 31′, pulleys 34 and 34′ fixed on the upper ends of therespective swivel braces 33 and 33′, and pulleys 35 and 35′fixed on thelower ends of the respective swivel braces 33 and 33′. A user canrelocate the assembly 30 into different positions by releasing a lockingpin (not shown) inside the positioning handle 32, sliding thepositioning handle 32 along the inclined post 24, and fixing the lockingpin into a selected aperture 241 on the inclined post 24. With thedesign of the positioning handle 32, a user can easily relocate thesliding assembly 30 along the inclined post 24 by one-hand operation.The sliding assembly 30′ could be operated by a user by the same way asthe sliding assembly 30.

The exercise machine 10 comprises a seat assembly 50 and a seat backassembly 60 attached to the upright 20. In a embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6, the seat assembly 50 comprises a seat 53attached to a seat frame 52, a fixed plate 54 having apertures 542 and544 attached to the seat frame 52, a brace 56 attached to a sliding tube51 for supporting the seat 53 and the seat frame 52, and a locking pin512 attached to the brace 56 for locking the seat 53 into different seatpositions. The seat 53 is pivoted to the sliding tube 51 through apivoting axis 521 which is substantially perpendicular to the floorsurface. Therefore, the seat 52 can be rotated into different seatpositions along the pivoting axis 521. While the seat 53 is rotated andthe locking pin 512 is positioned into the aperture 542, the seat 53 isin a first seat position as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In a same way, the seat53 is in a second seat position while the seat 53 is rotated and thelocking pin 512 is positioned into the aperture 544 as shown in FIG. 7.In a preferred embodiment, the seat 53 has a reference plan A therein asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The reference A has a fixed angle related thetop surface of the seat 53. The reference A is substantially parallel tothe floor surface while the seat 53 is moved by a user from the firstseat position to the second seat position.

Another embodiment of the seat assembly 50 is that the seat 53 isslidably connected to the sliding tube 51 or the upright 22. In thisembodiment, the pivoting axis 521 is replaced by a pair sliding membersand a pair of substantial horizontal rails which are adapted to supportthe sliding members for a substantial horizon sliding movement of theseat assembly 50. In a potential energy perspective, the potentialenergy of the seat 53 of the present invention is substantiallyunchanged when the seat 53 is moved from the first seat position to thesecond seat position. In other word, a user only needs to apply anactuating force which is for a purpose to overcome a friction forcebetween the seat assembly 50 and the upright 22 in order to move theseat 53 from the first seat position to the second seat position. If theseat is pivoted to the upright 22, the friction force is caused by thecylinder surface of the pivoting axis 521. If the seat is slidablymounted to the upright 22, the friction force is caused by the surfaceof the horizontal rails. It is understood that the actuating force isminimal and convenient for a user to move the seat 53 from the firstseat position to the second seat position.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9, the exercise machine 10 of the presentinvention includes a cable 421 which is routed around a series ofpulleys 426-432 having an end 424 connected to a gripping handle 43(FIG. 9) and the other end connected to the sliding assembly 30. A cable421′ which is routed around a series of pulleys 426′-432′ has an end424′ connected to a gripping handle 43′ and the other end connected tothe sliding assembly 30′. As showed in FIG. 9, the exercise machine 10includes a cable 428 which is first routed around a series of pulleys434-437, then a pulley 438 which is connected to the weight stack 41 anda series of pulleys 434′-437′. The both ends of the cable 428 areconnected to a cable 441 which is routed around pulleys 439 and 440. Thecable 441 has an end 425 positioned in front of a footplate 211.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the sliding assembly 30 is positionedin different positions, a lower position in FIG. 9 and an upper positionin FIG. 11. The inclined post 24 is extended upward from the base frame20. It should be noticed that the inclined post 24 is designed to beinclined in a selected direction to create ergonomic advantage of a userwhen a user is in a sitting position. In a preferred embodiment as shownin FIG. 9, the inclined post 24 is inclined backward in an orientationof a user in a sitting position. There are two symbiosis advantages ofthe backward incline. Both the upper and lower positions of the slidingassembly 30 are in their ergonomically correct positions. Because of thebackward incline, a backward distance L1 is created when the slidingassembly 30 is moved from the lower position to the upper position.

With the backward distance L1, the sliding assembly 30 is in back of theshoulder and elbow of the user. That means the sliding assembly 30 inthe upper position could have an ergonomically correct position when auser starting to operate an exercise such as chest press or pectoral flyin a sitting position as shown in FIG. 11. In a traditional upright postconfiguration which does not incline the upright post backward, thesliding assembly 30 can only have an ergonomically correct position ineither the lower position or the upper position. For example, the upperposition of the sliding assembly 30 could be too near the elbow of auser if the upright post is designed to have a better ergonomic positionwhile the sliding assembly 30 is in the lower position. The backwarddistance L1 can decrease interference between the swivel brace 33 andthe elbow of a user when the user performing exercises such as chestpress or pectoral fly in a sitting position with the sliding assembly 30in the upper position. Because the swivel brace 33 is pivoted to thesliding tube 31, the swivel brace 33 could be swiveled forward when thecable end 424 is pulled forward. Although the sliding assembly 30′ cannot be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, it is easy to understand that the slidingassembly 30′ may have a same character and operation as the slidingassembly 30.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the present invention with the slidingassemblies 30 and 30′ respectively positioned in the lower positions. Itis shown that the inclined posts 24 and 24′ extending upward from thebase frame 20 and 20′ are inclined inward to each other. FIG. 12 shows afront view of the present invention with the sliding assemblies 30 and30′ respectively positioned in the upper positions. With an inwardincline of the inclined posts 24 and 24′, an inward distance L2 iscreated when the sliding assembly 30 or 30′ is moved from the lowerposition to the upper position. The inward distance L2 creates someergonomic advantage for the user to perform exercises such as chestpress or pectoral fly in a sitting position. The sliding assembly 30 isnear the shoulder of the user when the sliding assembly 30 is in theupper position and it is comfortable for the user to grab the grippinghandle 43. Because of symmetric character of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the inclined post 24′ and sliding assembly 30′have similar or same configuration, operation and advantages.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a gripping handle 43L is an alternativeembodiment of the gripping handles 43 and 43′. The gripping handle 43Lis in an elongated configuration having two ends and an inner portion.The gripping handle 43L includes outer connectors 431 respectivelymounted on the ends of the gripping handle 43L. It should be noticedthat the outer connectors 431 are rotatable around the gripping handle43L. The gripping handle 43L further includes inner connectors 432 whichare also rotatably mounted on the inner portion of the gripping handle43L. In one operation condition, the sliding assemblies 30 and 30′ arepositioned in the highest portions of the inclined posts 24 and 24′ andthe cable ends 424 and 424′ are respectively connected to the innerconnectors 432. By connecting the inner connectors 432, a user canperform an exercise such as a lat pull-down exercise. In anotheroperation condition, the sliding assemblies 30 and 30′ are respectivelypositioned in the lower positions of the inclined posts 24 and 24′ andthe cable end 424 and 424′ are respectively connected to the outerconnectors 431. By connecting the outer connectors 431, a user canperform an exercise such as a low bar curl shown in FIG. 13. Because theinner or outer connectors 431 and 432 are rotatably mounted on thegripping handle 43L, there is no rotating toque produced on the grippinghandle 43L. It is smoother to use the gripping handle 43L disclosed toperform the exercises mentioned above.

Now referring to FIG. 8, detail structures of the seat back assembly 60is disclosed. The seat back assembly 60 includes a back frame 62 havingseveral apertures 613 thereon attached to a seat back 63, a sliding tube612 having a locking pin 621, a sliding tube 61 having a locking pin 611attached to the sliding tube 612. The back frame 62 is slidably mountedon the sliding tube 612. Therefore, positions of the seat back 63 couldbe adjusted by relocating the locking pin 621 into different locationsof the apertures 613.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 13, different exercises of the exercisemachine 10 are demonstrated. FIG. 9 shows a user in a sitting positionperforming a sitting biceps curl exercise. It is known by people skilledin the art that the exercise is not limited to a biceps curl exercise.The seat 53 is currently in the first seat position. The slidingassembly 30 is positioned in the lower position and the gripping handle43 is also in its respective lower position. A user puts down forearmsto grab the gripping handles 43 and then curls up forearms to overcomethe resistance of the weight stack 41 as the phantom line shown in FIG.9. FIG. 13 shows a user in a standing position to operate a low bar curlexercise. In a conventional configuration of a seat unit, a user needsto straddle the seat uint in order to perform an exercise in a standingposition. It is sometimes uncomfortable for a user to perform someexercises in a straddling position. There is interference between theseat unit and the user legs. With teaching of the present invention, theseat 53 could be movable between the first seat position and the secondseat position. Therefore, a user does not need to straddle the seatassembly 50 to perform some exercises in a standing position and a usercan perform some exercises in a standing position without interferenceof the seat assembly 50.

Because the seat 53 can be pivotally connected to the upright 22 and thepivoting axis 521 is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface,the actuating force needed to rotate the seat 53 from the first seatposition to the second seat position is minimal. A user only needs toovercome a friction force caused by the pivoting axis 521. It is easyand convenient for a user to move the seat from the first seat positionto the second seat position. The reference plan A shown in FIGS. 2 and 3is substantially parallel to the floor surface while the seat is rotatedfrom the first seat position to the second seat position. In otherwords, potential energy of the seat 53 and the sear frame 52 issubstantial unchanged while the seat is rotated from the first seatposition to the second seat position.

In the preferred embodiment, the seat 53 is not occupied in the secondseat position but it is still under a scope of the present invention ifa user sits on the seat 53 in the second seat position performing someexercises. In other words, the seat assembly 50 disclosed in the presentinvention could be utilized in a conventional multi-station exerciseequipment. The conventional multi-station exercise equipment usually hasseveral separated seat units in front of each station. With teaching ofthe present invention, the seat assembly 50 could be mounted to theconventional multi-station exercise equipment. The seat assembly 50could be rotated into different stations for performing differentexercises. The seat assembly numbers can be decreased and it is alsohighly cost efficient applying a rotatable seat assembly in theconventional multi-station exercise equipment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with whatis considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isunderstood that this invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations andequivalent arrangements.

Closing

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot be limited to the description of the preferred versions containedherein.

1. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported by afloor surface; a resistance system mounted on said frame to providetraining resistance to a user; and a seat connected to said frame havinga first seat position and a second seat position wherein said seat ismovable from said first seat position in which a first exercise isoperated by said user in a sitting posture to said second seat positionin which a second exercise is operated by said user in a standingposture.
 2. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein anactuating force required moving said seat from said first seat positionto said second seat position is designated to overcome a friction forcebetween said frame and said seat.
 3. The exercise machine as claimed inclaim 2, said resistance system further comprising a weight stackpositioned on said base; a plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame;at least a gripping handle; and a cable system routed around saidplurality of pulleys having a first portion engaged to said weight stackand a second portion connected said gripping handle.
 4. The exercisemachine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat is substantiallyvertically pivoted to said frame in a direction related to said floorsurface.
 5. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 4, furthercomprising a fixed plate connected to said seat having two aperturestherein.
 6. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 5, furthercomprising a brace connected to said frame; and a locking pin attachedto said brace to position said locking pin into one of said apertures ofsaid fixed plate.
 7. An exercise machine comprising: a frame having abase supported by a floor surface; a resistance system mounted on saidframe to provide training resistance to a user; and a seat connected tosaid frame to be movable from a first seat position in which a firstexercise is operated by a user to a second seat position in which asecond exercise is operated by said user wherein said seat furthercomprises a reference plane which is substantially parallel to saidfloor surface when said seat moved from said first seat position to saidsecond seat position.
 8. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 7,said resistance system further comprising a weight stack positioned onsaid base; a plurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at least agripping handle; and a cable system routed around said plurality ofpulleys having a first portion engaged to said weight stack and a secondportion connected said gripping handle.
 9. The exercise machine asclaimed in claim 8, wherein said second exercise is operated by saiduser while said user is in a sitting condition.
 10. The exercise machineas claimed in claim 9, wherein said seat is horizontally slidablyconnected to said frame in a direction related to said floor surface.11. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein an actuatingforce required moving said seat from said first seat position to saidsecond seat position is designated to overcome a friction force betweensaid frame and said seat.
 12. The exercise machine as claimed in claim9, wherein said seat is pivoted to said frame.
 13. The exercise machineas claimed in claim 12, wherein said seat is substantially verticallypivoted to said frame in a direction related to said floor surface. 14.An exercise machine comprising: a frame having a base supported by afloor surface; a weight stack positioned on said frame; a plurality ofpulleys mounted on said frame; at least a gripping handle; a cablesystem routed around said plurality of pulleys having a first portionengaged to said weight stack and a second portion connected saidgripping handle; and a seat pivotally connected to said frame through apivoting axis to be movable from a first seat position in which a firstexercise is operated by a user to a second seat position in which asecond exercise is operated by said user wherein said pivoting axis issubstantially perpendicular to said floor surface.
 15. The exercisemachine as claimed in claim 14, wherein said second exercise is operatedby said user while said user is in a standing condition.
 16. An exercisemachine comprising: a frame having a base supported by a floor surfaceand at least a inclined post extending upward from said base; aplurality of pulleys mounted on said frame; at least a gripping handle;a cable system routed around said plurality of pulleys having a firstportion engaged to said weight stack and a second portion connected saidgripping handle; a seat connected to said frame; and at least a slidingassembly slidably connected to said inclined post to relocate saidgripping handle from a lower position to upper position wherein saidsliding assembly is moved at a horizontally backward distance from saidlower position to said upper position.
 17. The exercise machine asclaimed in claim 16, wherein said sliding assembly includes apositioning handle and at least an exit pulley pivoted to saidpositioning handle.
 18. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 17,wherein said exit pulley is in back of the shoulder joint of a user in asitting condition while said sliding assembly located at said upperposition.
 19. The exercise machine as claimed in claim 17, furthercomprising a seat pivotally connected to said frame through a pivotingaxis to be movable from a first seat position in which a first exerciseis operated by said user to a second seat position in which a secondexercise is operated by said user wherein said pivoting axis issubstantially perpendicular to said floor surface.